Please critique our itinerary- first trip to Alaska

Question

Any comments welcome! Here’s our itinerary for our first trip to Alaska:

Day 1 & 2: Arrive in Anchorage at 8:30pm- taxi or Uber from airport to our Airbnb.

In the morning, pick up car at off-site location (short walk from Airbnb). Want to do: Trolley Tour, Alaska Aviation Museum & Native Heritage Center. Is this doable in one day?

Day 3: Drive to Wildlife Conservation Center; Whittier (lunch?); Seward. Check into Airbnb.

Day 4: Major Marine 7 ½ hour tour (9:30am – 5pm).

Day 5: Turning Heads Dogsled tour. Sea Life Center. Shopping.

Day 6: Exit Glacier. Drive to Homer. Check into Airbnb.

Day 7: Floatplane flight- Katmai bear viewing in afternoon/evening.

Day 8: Tide pooling, Shopping. Relaxing. (backup day for Katmai if weather doesn’t cooperate on day 7). Other suggestions?

Day 9: Long travel day to Talkeetna. Last overnight at Airbnb cabin.

Day 10: Explore Talkeetna (love quirky towns). Drive to Anchorage- return car and Uber/taxi to airport. (Flight departs late)

Any suggestions for stops we should think about on the road trip to Homer, since that is not a long drive?

Probably will get comments about not doing Denali, but we really gave that a lot of thought and would rather spend our trip not on a bus- even though I’m sure it’s beautiful! Just hope we are in Talkeetna on a clear day for the view.

Answer

Your itinerary is ambitious but thoughtfully planned for a first-time Alaska trip. You’ve balanced wildlife, adventure, and quirky towns without trying to cram Denali in, which is wise if you prefer not to spend long hours on a bus. Here’s a detailed critique and suggestions:

Day 1 & 2 (Anchorage)

Arriving late on Day 1 is fine. For Day 2, trying to fit the Trolley Tour, Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Native Heritage Center in one day is possible but will be tight. Consider prioritizing:

Morning: Alaska Aviation Museum and Trolley Tour (the latter can be leisurely and gives a good overview of the city)
Afternoon: Native Heritage Center (allocate at least 1.5–2 hours)

You may find that one activity might need to be shortened depending on your pace, especially if you want to stop for lunch in downtown Anchorage.

Day 3 (Drive to Seward)

Your plan to stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Whittier for lunch is reasonable. The drive from Anchorage to Seward is about 2.5–3 hours, but plan extra time for scenic stops:

Beluga Point: short stop with incredible views of Turnagain Arm.
Bird Point or Potter Marsh: quick nature/photography stops.

Checking into Seward in the late afternoon gives you time to relax or stroll along the waterfront.

Day 4 (Marine Tour)

A 7½ hour marine tour is perfect and leaves little else for the day, so your plan to focus on this activity is smart.

Day 5 (Dogsled & SeaLife Center)

The Turning Heads dogsled tour is usually 2–3 hours, so pairing it with the SeaLife Center and some light shopping works well. Consider a casual dinner along the harbor afterward.

Day 6 (Exit Glacier → Homer)

Driving to Homer from Seward is long (approx. 5–6 hours). Make stops along the way for a more enjoyable trip:

Kenai: for a quick coffee or snack, and views of the Kenai River.
Kasilof or Ninilchik: for tide pools and local small-town charm.
Beluga Viewing: roadside pullouts along Cook Inlet if tides permit.

Day 7 (Floatplane to Katmai)

Make sure to have backup weather days, as you noted. Keep this day flexible in case of fog or poor visibility. Afternoon trips are good for wildlife viewing and lighting for photography.

Day 8 (Relaxing / Tide Pooling)

Using this day as a backup for Katmai is wise. Tide pooling and shopping in Homer are pleasant, especially if you’re catching local art and culture.

Day 9–10 (Talkeetna / Anchorage)

Driving to Talkeetna is scenic and not overly long, but stopping along the Parks Highway can enhance the experience:

Big Lake: quick stop for photos and reflections of the Alaska Range.
Trapper Creek: small-town charm and local cafes.
Talkeetna: if weather is clear, views of Denali are spectacular.

Returning to Anchorage for your flight is straightforward. Since you have late flights, you can enjoy a relaxed last day exploring Talkeetna.

Overall Suggestions:

Consider pacing Day 2 in Anchorage; you may not need to rush through all three attractions.
Ensure flexibility for weather-dependent activities like Katmai and marine tours.
Road trips to Homer and Talkeetna are scenic—plan for photo stops and light walking/exploration along the way.
Keep meals and rest stops flexible to avoid feeling rushed.

In summary, this itinerary is realistic if you maintain flexibility for weather and allow buffer time for driving, meals, and scenic stops. You’re prioritizing experiences over rigid schedules, which is ideal for Alaska.